Tommy Ramone: Last surviving member of the original band the Ramones dies at 62

12 JULY 2014Tommy Ramone, the last surviving member of the original punk band the Ramones, has died at the age of 62.

A statement posted on the Ramones' Facebook fan page on Friday read "We are saddened to announce the passing of Tommy Ramone (née Erdelyi), the original drummer for the Ramones, earlier today, 11 July 2014".

Tommy Ramone has died at the age of 65

Dave Frey, of Ramones Productions and Silent Partner Management, has also confirmed that Hungary-born Tommy's wife had called to tell him the news.

While the cause of Tommy's death has not been officially confirmed, he had previously been receiving treatment for Cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer.

In 1974 drummer Tommy co-founded the Ramones in New York along with singer Joey, bassist Dee Dee and guitarist Johnny. The quartet all had difference surnames, but adopted the common name of Ramone.

The band, whose hits included Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Sedated and Judy Is A Punk, influenced a generation of rock groups including Nirvana and Green Day.

The Ramones went their separate ways in 1996 after a final tour called Adios Amigos, that followed their last studio album, We're Outta Here!

Five years later Joey Ramone (Jeff Hyman) died of lymphatic cancer while Johnny Ramone, whose birth name was John Cummings, died in 2004 of prostate cancer. Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Colvin) died as the result of a drug overdose in 2002.